Sports

“Avengers … assemble.”  This line from Avengers Endgame couldn’t be more true as we enter numbers 11-15 on this list. Just as we did last week, we as sports editors want to reiterate some vital points. First of all, non-SLUH athletes don’t count on our list. From MLS soccer to badminton, the Class of 2026 contains some of the most talented athletes who compete outside the walls of SLUH, but we want to highlight those who have proudly worn SLUH on their chest. Secondly, actually read the article. We sports editors have received complaints about the placement of athletes from 16-26 and we want to reemphasize that just because you haven’t seen these athletes excel behind the scenes or on their respective fields, slinging the frisbee or hurling the javelin, doesn’t mean that they haven’t dominated in their respective sports. However, the most important thing is that students, teachers, and coaches alike are rallying around this list as a celebration of the excellence that the Class of 2026 has to offer. 

15: Kendall McNutt, Football

Bill Belichick once said that the linebacker is the quarterback of the defense. In terms of senior Kendall McNutt, this couldn’t be more true. Any time that a running back or quarterback took the snap, they were like prey for the hungry wolf of Kendall McNutt. As a starter for the last three years on SLUH’s powerhouse defense, this Kent State commit has been second on the team each year in tackles. On a defense with future D-1 superstars like Kansas State cornerback Jacobi Oliphant, McNutt broke onto the scene and made his presence felt immediately. McNutt amassed 70 total tackles, four of which were tackles for loss. Continuing to rack up tackles like they were dollar bills, McNutt finished his next year, his junior campaign, with 93 total tackles, 17 of which were tackles for loss. This QB nightmare was able to get into the backfield like it was nobody’s business, compiling four sacks and two fumble recoveries. 

After an offseason of grinding, this future Golden Flash mutilated every ballcarrier in his way. In his final showing for SLUH, McNutt tallied 54 tackles (85 total), two sacks, a fumble recovery and arguably the most important interception of the year against De Smet in the crunch time of the third quarter.While he certainly shone defensively, he was able to live out every linebackers dream by lining up at Wildcat (Hellcat) seven times where he totaled 50 yards and a touchdown against Chaminade. 

In his senior year alone, McNutt was first team All- MCC, and was second team all district (second year in a row). To be quite frank, the math speaks volumes for this machine. McNutt has racked up 221 total tackles, the fifth most in SLUH history while only missing one game over his three year career. One. McNutt’s leadership and consistency, cements him as the 15th best athlete in the Class of 2026. 

14: Sebastian Tate, Football and Basketball

Bullying. This word is one that provokes a sense of fear and distaste, rightfully so, in the mouths of people across the country, but for senior Sebastian Tate it has become a habit. Whether it be in the trenches of the defensive line or the low post as a center, Tate has played bully ball, terrorizing whomever is in his way. Having a father as a SLU basketball assistant coach, basketball is something that has come easy to Tate. In his three years on varsity basketball, Tate has been a force as a 6-foot-5 center. Playing his sophomore year, Tate’s minutes were limited as he averaged 3 points and was third on the team in rebounds. Going into his junior campaign, Tate averaged six points, but was a beast under the glass with 54 rebounds. However, as one of three seniors this year, Tate has exploded. Tate is now the second leading scorer and rebounder on the team with 8 points and 102 rebounds and one of the most vocal leaders of the squad. 

Let’s turn to Tate’s newfound high school love in terms of sports: the trenches. Much like McNutt, Tate was elevated to varsity as a sophomore where he played 185 snaps, amassed 14 total tackles, 1 sack and five QB pressures. A starter beginning his junior year, Tate tallied 74 total tackles, 15 of which were tackles for loss, three sacks and four knock downs. In his final year donning the blue and white, Tate fought through a pulled hamstring injury, fighting for each and every snap. Tate totaled 48 tackles, eight of which were tackles for loss, four sacks, and seven QB pressures. Through his masterful three-year progression with SLUH varsity sports, Tate is carving his own path, committing to the Indiana State Sycamores where he will play football for the next four years. Although not a captain on either squad, Tate has shown what so many other athletes on this list have and will show: longevity as a dual sport athlete. Whether it be on the hardwood or gridiron, Tate has proved himself as one of the best bigs in the St. Louis area who will throw himself into the fire for his teammates play after play.

13: Logan Studer, Baseball

You may know him for his gallon size water bottle that you see in the halls, but Studer is an absolute D-A-W-G on the baseball field when it comes to being around home plate. As a soon to be four-year catcher on varsity, Studer has built up an impressive resume in the high school baseball scene, leading to interest from schools across the country, ultimately leading to his commitment to highly esteemed, Ivy- League school Brown. 

In his three years on varsity, Studer has made an appearance in 81 games in which he has a .310 batting average with a .381 slugging average. Reeling in 41 runs for himself and 24 RBI’s, Studer has shown himself to be great in all aspects of his game, whether it be suited up in his gear or running the bases. 

Arguably more important than his offensive impact, his defense is where he shines. Studer was named a 2025 Class 6 All State Catcher by the Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association, as well as  MCC 1st Team All Conference Catcher. Studer’s impressive 1.83 second pop time, one that leads the entire MCC, and his 87 mph throws from the plate seal him as a top tier catcher not just in the region, but in the history books of St. Louis U. High. There is still so much time left in his high school career and he will continue to make a great impact as he continues on to play Division 1 ball.  

12: Michael Williams, Wrestling

The last thing you would ever think a guy as kind and loving as Williams would do is spend their free time physically crushing other guys for fun, but this senior is unreal at doing just that. In the realm of wrestling there is one usual trend with a good wrestler: they start young, usually before high school, but Williams has put himself out of that usual path to success. With an overall record of 99-31 over his four-year career, many think that he started early and just continued to build on his foundation from his youth, but it was built right here on 4970 Oakland Ave. 

Last year, Williams qualified for the 2025 MSHSAA State tournament and claimed a top 10 spot in his first trip to the tournament. His most notable tournament victories come in the Parkway South tournament and the Eric Lewis Invitational, two tournaments that bring in excellent competition from around the area. 

With all of this dominance across the area, of course Williams has won big matches, but none were more important than his victory over the defending Illinois state champion. Williams is running on an impressive 30-3 record this year, claiming wins over the third place finisher at the 2025 state tournament and the champion of the prestigious Granite City Tournament. Beating a former Illinois state champ and the third ranked wrestler in Missouri is unprecedented for a SLUH wrestler and Williams is breaking through those molds. Williams’ utter dominance  is what has pushed him into the spotlight as a top wrestler in the area and secured him 11th on this list.

11: Andrew Wolf, Soccer and Tennis

South City Dreams.  Despite his 5-foot-9 stature, this senior’s endurance, speed and love for SLUH bleeds louder than his size. As a three-year member of the varsity soccer squad, Wolf has shined. In the past two years alone, Wolf has scored 12 goals with 12 assists at the highly prized midfielder position. During his junior year, Wolf chipped into the defense that only let in 24 goals. 

Arguably the highlight of his soccer career came late last November when SLUH went to penalty kicks versus De Smet in the state championship. As the third PK shooter, Wolf buried his shot into the back of the net, adding to his playoff clutch factor as he helped claim a state championship for SLUH. 

Building off the momentum from his junior year, Wolf scored six goals this year while being a key part of another defense that only let in 14 goals (stats courtesy of James Sanders) and securing yet another ring. Wolf has been named as a second team All MCC selection for two years straight, and has been Academic All State each year. Whether it be using the best stamina on the team to fallback on defense against Rockhurst, or chipping an assist to any forward, this captain and future college soccer player has been a backbone of SLUH’s squad. 

This St. Gabriel alum hasn’t just shown on the pitch, though. As springtime rolls around, this speedster takes his talent from his feet to his hands as he picks up a racket for SLUH tennis. Much like McNutt and Tate, Wolf has shown longevity in each sport that he partakes in as a four-year member of the tennis program. In three of those years, Wolf has been within the top six that has consistently proved to be the best in the MCC, capturing the MCC team title last year. Much of this excellence has come because of the duo of Wolf and senior Klaus Jostlein, who captured second in MCC tourney doubles last year. Wolf is someone who has shown leadership, versatility as a unique two sport athlete, and consistency as a pivotal part of SLUH soccer and tennis since he was 14 years old, all cementing himself at this prized number 11 spot.